Walker and Davies top pool league glory stories

Sutton’s Ash Walker became the first player to retain the main singles title as the Nottinghamshire Blackball Pool Winter League came to an exciting end at The Towers in Mansfield.

Walker had to do it the hard way, beating some of the county’s top players on the way.

In great potting form, Walker beat Worksop’s in-form Graham Cliffe 4-1 in the quarter-finals, then saw off good friend Jamie Thornton 4-2 in the semis to set up a great final with ex-seniors world champion Kev Seaman in which Walker didn’t miss a pot.

Mansfield pool legend Steve Wallett finally won the seniors title after over 20 years chasing a county singles title.

He was on fire, beating seniors Central Tour champion Jon Hartley 3-2 in the semi-finals, then beating Graham Cliff 3-0 for his first title.

Cliffe had a great season, winning the Notts Capped singles title, beating Jamie Thornton 3-2 in the final.

He also made the semis of the main singles, was runners-up in the seniors singles, and his good form did not stop there with he and Kev Seaman, of Worksop, winning the Notts Pairs, beating Jimmy Hallam and Ash Walker 3-2 in the final.

Greg Davis (15) showed why he his one best U18 players in the country as he took the Nottinghamshire U23 singles title with a 3-2 victory over England U23 player Hayden Hickling in the final.

Davis also won the U18 singles title, beating up and coming Suraj Rai 3-2, as well as the Notts U16 title, beating his good friend Danny Zikic in the final.

It’s been a top year for Davis after his European and World Team Championships exploits with England U18s. He is looking for a sponsor for his England and county commitments and, with the right backing it is felt he could become one of the best players in the world. Anyone interested can contact his mum, Tracy, on 07790 721557.

Suraj Rai (12) won the U14 singles, came back from 2-0 down to beat last season’s champion Jacob Elmhirst 3-2 in the final.

Rai and Danny Zikic the took the U18 pairs crown, beating Greg Davis and Jacob Elmhirst in the final.

The inaugural Nottinghamshire Blackball Singles League Division One saw Kev Seaman edge a very close season, winning the title on frames, with Mansfield’s Andy Bingham second, pool pro Jason Rimington third and Chris Winter fourth among eight of the best players in Notts pool.

The Division Two Singles League was even closer with England seniors player Steve Hotchkiss just pipping Tim Hurst. With both players on the same points and legs it went down to head to head results against each other. Greg Davis was third and Ash Anderson fourth.

The new league went so well it will contain four division next season, which begins on 16th February.

In the Notts Blackball Team League, played every Monday at The Towers, Division One was won for the fourth season on the trot by Harvey Elmhirst’s Towers EMC team, comprising Dave Atherley, Chris Winter, Kev Seaman, Steve Hotchkiss, Ryan Hewitt, Dean Sporton and Jamie Thornton. John Tunney’s MLC team of John Tunney, Andy Bingham, Ash Walker, Nick Jones, Andy Wain, Chris Revell and Ash Anderson came runners-up.

In the cup, Dean Croft’s Hotshots beat league champions Towers EMC 8-7 in the semis.

Last year’s cup winners MLC are in the final again, beating The Storm 8-7

Nottinghamshire Blackball Pool presentation night and cup finals will be on Saturday, 31st January at The Towers,

The League and Singles League starts again on Monday, 16th February at The Towers - anyone interested in joining can phone Harvey Elmhirst on 07854 442985.